James Acaster - Unreliable

Using clips from Stuart Goldsmith's podcast 'The Comedians Comedian'.
James Acaster 2013: Comcompendium
Ep 355 & 356 James Acaster Returns (Again!)
Ep 232 James Acaster: Returns (Part One & Two)
Spoilers for 'Repertoire' (2018), 'Carpet Remnant World' (2012) & 'Shutter Island' (2010) (WHAT?!) ahead.
James Acaster - A Strange Form of Stand Up:
• James Acaster: A Stran...
One last thing. I haven't done this before, but I would like to say 'Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999' is an AMAZING stand up special. I think I've watched it 5-6 times in it's entirety. It's SO good, and makes a fascinating contrast to his work in Repertoire. It's only available on Vimeo, so if you want to support Acaster, and more importantly, treat yourself to some outstanding comedy, the link's below:
vimeo.com/ondemand/coldlasagne

[@ComedyWithoutErrors]

Long-time no see! For those wondering why on earth I’ve posted another video about James Acaster, the answer is thus: When I posted the first Acaster video, it was only the fourth video I’d made. I was passionate about Acaster, and his comedy meant a lot to me. However, I lacked the skills to turn this passion into a good video. Looking back, my editing is average, and more importantly, my discussion and analysis underwhelming. My heart was in the right place, but I didn’t know what I was doing. So, I’ve remade it from the ground up. Although both videos share the same basic premise, they are completely different. This video is over double its length, more in depth and focused, and is edited to a much higher standard. I also took a crack at pixel art, and I’d like to thank my sister Naomi for giving them a level of finesse I never would have achieved on my own (particularly the Ali Wong one which went through several hilariously awful iterations). I owe a lot to the first Acaster video. It blew up, and gave me the platform that I was able to build the channel off. It’s crazy to think that something I made in my bedroom could be viewed 700,000+ times. But it’s time for it to die. I have left the link in the video description, but it will now be unlisted from the channel. Also, apologies to the 100ish people who watched this last week with my narration only coming out one headphone. I hadn't yet learnt the power of switching audio from stereo to mono haha. Anyway, have a nice day, eat a pear, watch Taskmaster UK! Josh

[@mooodlemip4779]

I was so happy when I saw you’d posted. Can’t wait to watch this video. James Acaster’s comedy is worth 2 videos anyway.

[@elimoranodicio4163]

Was the video from last week titled redux also this video?

[@ComedyWithoutErrors]

@@elimoranodicio4163 Yep haha

[@SoSo-li6dn]

you should do a video about Tim Key and Alex Horne. The two new kids on the block. sort of

[@lukaspark4051]

please more videos about James Acaster

[@richpipe17]

Acaster's 'Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999' is truly brilliant, completely correct that it's very different from the Netflix specials but honestly I've watched it multiple times now and it is true 2 hours of comedy genius, every section is as good as each other and not one miss

[@olivannoort1093]

Where can you watch it

[@TheBurdenOfHope]

@@olivannoort1093 quite a bit is available via KZbin on the James Acaster channel. Some on the Universal Comedy channel too. It's a riot. It is different to repertoire but mostly stylistically in my opinion. It's still very much the same type of whimsical, gawkish and deceptively astute comedy that makes the mundane hilarious and the serious, well, also hilarious

[@Bhearu]

​@@olivannoort1093I have it downloaded from when he first streamed it on KZbin, if there's any way to send it to you just let me know, email ect, seems like a shady scam I'm aware but I just wanna spread the love lol its a shame its hard to find because it's genuinly a 2 hour masterpiece i revisit whenever my wifi shuts off.

[@SugarSnapDragon]

Yeah, I saw him do Hecklers Welcome in the last month, and it's just FUUUUUUCKING intimate. He has leaned hard in the other direction. It's impressive that he managed to get MORE intimacy than suicidal ideation. But therapy is the millennial zeitgeist. Also I feel like all these British panel show comedians just have so much exposure, it's terrifying to think about. The more you work the more exposed and over exposed you are. And then he's voluntarily prolific in addition to that. It's no wonder he had to get out of social media. Being a private person in a large, well connected social scene is hard enough.

[@xenidus]

​@@olivannoort1093I purchased the special off Vimeo and it was worth every penny.

[@clown_malarkey]

Something I've noticed about James Acaster is kind of a paradox: The more caricatured and cartoonish his stage personas are, the more authentic and personal his set material is going to be. He uses the mask to escape himself enough to be himself. You see it especially with his transition to peak character in Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999.

[@peskycritter79]

I love Acaster's stand-up specials but, no joke, they make me cry every time. They're just so genuine and relatable.

[@barbarian-furu]

yes, same

[@storiesfromtheabyss9808]

Yeah that, "What if every relationship is them slowly finding out they don't like you as much as they thought they did" really fucked me up

[@Boopop1024]

@@storiesfromtheabyss9808 Aha! I've never been in a relationship, so that didn't affect me at all! /s In reality...what's wrong with me? 😐 Oh well, currently pushing the NHS to get me referred to see if I have autism 🙃 Seriously though, look up limerence. If it has any basis in reality, I think it explains why the first two or three years are more sunshine and rainbows than the long term part of a long term relationship. Based on that knowledge I don't ever intend to rush in to marriage.

[@randyschwaggins]

Yeah...they don't make you cry every time though

[@madnessbydesign1415]

Being an unintentionally intelligent cartoonish character that speaks truth in the form of comedy is the absolute gold standard that James Acaster has attained. Love it... :)

[@MarkRowComedy]

I loved this for several reasons: 1. As a fellow comedy geek, I reckon Lee and Acaster are about the best there are out there at creating interesting, original and hilarious shows. 2. It helped me solve a structural problem with the end of my own debut show... which has been bothering me for a while! 3. I spotted a very brief snippet of my own interview with James, which made me happy you had included it! Thanks for putting it together... keep up the amazing work!

[@nijnij3988]

I know 'Cold Lasagna Hate Myself 1999' is very different from his Netflix special/series, but the story about him and his agent splitting up, and how he tells the story from his agent's perspective instead of his own, is another really really clever way of using the unreliable narrator with a twist.

[@ryanmurphy8644]

"Doesn't matter what she thinks. It's about accepting yourself at the end of the day. Focus on her because it's easier." Jesus James, thank you.

[@johnnewcomer8079]

When I found James Acaster I felt he was similar to Bo Burnham and figured that was why I enjoyed him so much. He is brilliant in such a different and unique way thank you for making this video! I also have never heard of Stewart Lee before and will definitely be looking into his comedy much more after this.

[@janguvpes7518]

Never heard of Stewart Lee...! Boy are you in for a great ride. I don't know where I'd start. People would probably most recommend the BBC Comedy Vehicle series, but while great, you don't get the full sense of his craft. Maybe _90s Comedian_ is a good place to start. His onstage character has gone through quite a process, incrementally becoming more cynical, bitter, and pedantic. It's very funny, but maybe best seen in contrast with the earlier way he presented.

[@ohheyemmi]

My fiance and I call him a "British Bo Burnham" because they both have the millennial angst, slightly absurd joke structures, meta commentary and are both clearly influenced by self referential type meme culture. Bo went the more musical route, which makes sense for the time and place he grew up, whereas James went the more absurd over the top cynic route because British humor is/was very much influenced by things like Monty Python. They are both incredibly smart millennials, both cynical bordering on nihilistic, both often reinvent joke structures/genres (Inside, Repetoire, etc), and both joke about the act of making jokes. Love it so much. Two of my favorite comedians. Acaster is by far my favorite UK comedian.

[@tertiaryconsumer9291]

Even the ending leading into Cold Lasagna Hate Myself was beautiful. The art throughout this was amazing! Agh! Thank you so much for making this I don't have the right words to explain how cool this doc was or how warm and fuzzy I feel after watching it. Thank you!

[@jamesormrod4656]

The footage you choose to accompany your points are always so well crafted. Great video again.

[@mrsoph28]

This was recommended to me 11 minutes after upload when I’m not subscribed… good job algorithm

[@joshdwittmam]

i had never heard of acaster until his specials, and they all made me laugh until i cried, he was so instantly my favorite, and so clearly something special. This was a great video, thanks!

[@adrianedlington2493]

Agreed! I discovered his specials at random and watched all 4 in fits of hyperventilating laughter while my partner at the time looked on in bemused horror. Truly something else.

[@edie555]

james acaster is a comedic genius (and a hottie) but to be able to capture the nuance of his comedy and so eloquently put it into such an entertaining and accessible format without losing any of the highly specific analysis is incredible!!

[@elliotwilliams7421]

No he isn't. It's regurgitated 90s Saturday evening family fun. Literally nothing new

[@justinleslie1]

That Stewart Lee quote at the beginning is so true: once a genre is established (for which Michael Macintyre deserves lots of credit) you can begin to play with it and sneak in interesting ideas

[@williamschubert4819]

The production quality of these is awesome and the conclusions are always substantiated from interviews/shows. Amazing.

[@MovieSketch]

Hey Josh, I've just watched this video from start to finish without pausing or stopping once. It's genuinely one of my favourite video essays I've ever watched. You have inspired me to keep making content. I also really like what you have explained in the comments about wanting to improve as an editor and writer. When working on a video I often get caught up in the 'I need to get this finished ASAP'. I cut corners with both my writing and editing to the point where I look back at some of my videos and wish I had just spent more time on them. Anyway, thanks again and I'm looking forward to seeing what you make in the future.

[@cheeseytacotime9380]

Just looking at your channel, it seems interesting and I like video essays so I'll check it out!

[@IlastarothTayre]

This channel truly has some amazing content. So glad I subscribed after that first Acaster video, as a stand-up comedy fanatic, it's truly a gem.

[@PaulaHoell]

Thank you so much for the rework of the rework and such a well put essay it inspired me a lot and helped me see that a lot of writing I did the last few months has kinda been through an unreliable narration as well. Also loved how you included a bit of Everything Everywhere all at Once, (since it's my current obsession No 1, but also) because it is told through Evelyn's eyes most of the film, with a minor exception of introducing Jubu Tupaki befor she knows who it actually is, but other than that the narration is driven by how she's experiencing time and space, how she's having an identity crisis and being unable to connect with her daughter. It's super interesting that I'm drawn to media like this at the moment.

[@cmbacap]

Thank you for this, you've found a way to explain why I was so obssesed with this especial when I saw it and why I can not watch it again since my first viewing due to the heavy honesty I felt from it. It is, for me, something to be experienced with full attention and you've listed most of the reasons why. Great content.

[@BelindaShort]

His work is so unbelievably amazing

[@phprevot]

That line about being your own unreliable narrator is powerful

[@robbaxter916]

I love this channel so much, man. The quality of every single video truly is remarkable. Thank you for all the work you put into these

[@mdotbirmz]

This KZbin channel is genuinely unparalleled. Astronomically unique.

[@mikefry4567]

This was a pleasure to watch. Incredibly well edited, great analysis, the 8bit animations were brilliant .. showed great respect and admiration to the immense talent of Acaster

[@jammin023]

Acaster's ability to use comedy to sneakily lead his audience by the back door into serious consciousness-raising realtalk about the human condition, is one of the reasons I love him. There are a very select few comics who have done this well - others that spring to mind (though they do it rather differently) are Daniel Sloss and Simon Amstell, and it's also why Bojack Horseman is so great. I enjoy Stewart Lee too, but I don't get the same buzz of insight from him. When he breaks down, it doesn't feel like we've broken through to the real Stewart Lee, but rather that it's just another layer of the persona, all part of the performance. Obviously in reality that is to some extent true for the others too, but with them it *feels* like we've reached a seam of truth, whereas no matter how many levels Stewart Lee goes down, we never feel like we get to the truth, we can never trust him. Lee's work was groundbreaking and is still brilliant on an intellectual level, but anyone familiar with him now knows that his narration is so unreliable that it distances him from the audience and makes him unrelateable, so undermines any possibility to connect to our hearts. Thanks for the video, really nicely done.

[@createmistakes]

I love this channel. More people need to see these video essays because they are really insightful even for people like me who don't have any experience performing in front of others. I have an even greater appreciation for stage performances now since finding this channel via the Stewart Lee video months back.

[@jupitercooper6933]

This video essay is Absolutely incredible. Wonderful insight and production value.

[@jamesbarber6375]

These are brilliant quality documentaries, really appreciate the work you put into them.

[@greenfox42]

This was incredibly well made and I loved every second of it! Thank you!!!

[@sianwhitney9765]

thanks so much for making a full on video essay about this man, its so interesting to delve into what his comedy means. im excited to explore the rest of your channel!!!

[@samuelalexander1014]

James Acaster and Stewart Lee are my two absolute favourite comedians of all time, and this really allows me to understand why. There shows are riddled with subtext and thematic depth. It's not something any other comedians do as well, and because of that I must be drawn. Great video essay.

[@julyanjohns1237]

Fantastic vid. You can feel how much time and love went into this creatively. Chef's kiss

[@dcpohe48]

Love this, thank you! Hope you continue to make this kind of videos!

[@claraconlan6557]

Thank you so much for this video. James Acaster is one of my favorite people.

[@orionquinn7718]

Literally, every time you upload it unlocks some deep comfort for me. Love these vids, tnx man x

[@heretible]

Amazing video, found you from the first acaster video like most people and I've binged your entire catalogue since, absolutely phenominal video, please keep it up

[@Keegan3005]

one of the best channels on YT, thank you

[@dob1997]

The pixel animations are actually gorgeous. Excellent essay. Reallly enjoyed this

[@Stannyhand]

This is simply amazing. One of my favourite comedians and specials being dissected and explained by referencing one of my favourite movies (Shutter Island) and my favourite comedian and his show (Lee and Carpet Remnant world) This was a wonderfully enjoyable watch. Thank you.

[@MariaLeFay]

I love this so much. I love the way you analyse the work, and how much depth you have managed to portray. Not only that, but how much more there is to be seen in the work. I would love to see something like this done on Loe Lycett

[@nefwaenre]

James is my all time favourite comedian. i first saw him on Mock The Week and i fell in love with his persona, charm and wit. By the time i've actually watched Repertoire, i had already learnt some of the jokes by heart~! No joke! i'm glad yt did a good thing and recommended your video on him. ♥

[@klphotographer]

Wonderful in-depth analysis of James' work. He really is genius at his art, and this only made me appreciate his talent even more. I hope he find his way back on stage for another Stand Up special soon, but until then, I'll be consuming every piece of podcast and audiobook content I can find 😉

[@kalebuck7719]

As always, absolutely phenomenal work! Can’t wait to see what topic you tackle next

[@dannycarter2947]

Huge fan of your videos, whenever I see one pop up in my feed it goes straight to the top of my priority list in terms of making time to watch it as soon as as possible. My favourite use of the unreliable narrator is on Norm Macdonalds not a memoir if not only because he managed to make a compelling book mostly about nothing but also about something terrible (gambling addiction)

[@tindera2100]

I love this channel, it's so great. I love stand-up so watching someone break it down is so good.

[@SJKM]

Loved this. Thanks.

[@Zuria227]

It is always a delight to see a video pop up on this channel.

[@samueldickenson2062]

This video is a masterpiece, thank you.

[@ImChaseRichard]

Easily one of my fav channels. Can’t wait to see more

[@KHALIL_AMINE]

You're videos are awesome, i learn so much from them, never stop please.

[@hollyludvigsen6763]

Most comics are brilliant, but James Acaster is really on another level. I love him!

[@stepstr]

I love this so so much. Thank you and have a great day.

[@covrtdesign5279]

This was INCREDIBLE!!! Gary Gulman has this style as well, and it just really makes you want more for more than just the laughs. Truly masters in their craft!

[@johnnyblaze2716]

Amazing video. Amazing. So well put together.

[@danielarlay]

absolutely wonderful

[@nicoleguarnieri8570]

this was brilliant, i truly am the biggest fan of yours, thank you!

[@ovi2wise]

Spot on analysis. I watch the special so often, its awesome to analyze the material

[@adamboomcircus3344]

New follower here. Excellent doc on the weaving layers of truth beneath the freedom created by personas that wield the mighty sword of unreliable narration and cut through all the bollox that so often gets i. The way of the real truths of what comedy can reveal. Humility in humour. Not preaching but personal yet completely fucking hilarious. What a great comic Acaster is and i can appreciate his style, his persona and him much more with this well crafted deep dive. Respect for the movie and Stewart lee compare and contrasts too. Carpet remanent world is a masterpiece. You get the shows you deserve sheffield!

[@ednaproductions336]

this was really great. thanks =)

[@kildogery]

I loved playing spot the song. Great work.

[@aaronhelmsman]

This made my day. Thank you

[@allandalegibson1194]

James Acaster is a Stone Cold Genius

[@gaco98]

I've watched the first 20 min last week before you pulled it and have been refreshing every day to see when you would reupload. Great work mate

[@user-hu5ff7vf6u]

thank you for this video!! james acaster is oneof my favorite comedians. this channel is amazing,please make a video about carlin

[@The3Storms]

I don’t know how I got here but I’m so glad I watched this. Thank you.

[@danhesketh]

Thank you Josh, that was magnificent

[@BelindaShort]

Very insightful and in-depth. I agree with your assessment on this and I think that is what draws people to him without them realizing.

[@LettersAndNumbers300]

Love the classic tunes

[@Morgam06]

This is a FANTASTIC analysis! Well done, made me rather emotional. Praise be to Father Lee.

[@AliBros]

Brilliant as always. 8bit reckoner at the end was the cherry on top!

[@danlythecomedian]

Worth the wait, thanks.

[@Binlaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Amazing loved it even better than the previous one, keep up the good work!

[@hectormugwump5530]

This is the first time I've noticed this channel. I subscribed almost instantly. If there was such thing as a double-subscribe I'd have done it at the character selection piece. This is a work of art in itself.

[@Bodcut]

Same here

[@Natzoboss]

Thanks for posting this! My only pushback is the assertion that messages have to be discovered accidentally in order for writers to communicate them in a nuanced way. That’s certainly one way it can happen, but it does writers a discredit to suggest they are incapable of creating with intention and skill. It’s tempting to cast great work as accidental because it’s more exciting and makes it seem more doable, but in reality even those who don’t know what they’re doing at first eventually consciously incorporate their themes just as much as someone who knew from the beginning. Being in tune with these hidden motivations from the start can avoid wasted drafts and make for stronger, more mature writing in the first place (if done well!) Likely this is pedantic, but this is an idea I see quite a lot and your ideas are otherwise solid enough to warrant pointing this out. Thanks for posting again!

[@FillipJPhry]

I literally just realized that you are a stand-up comedy channel and have seen multiple videos of yours but didn't know it was all from you . I live and breathe stand up. You are a god among men

[@griffinmcmorrow2738]

So glad someone finally gave these specials their flowers- absolutely one of the finest pieces of media I’ve ever seen

[@KevalVorahere]

love love love your videos

[@richardcurtis7854]

People don't mind being told fiction; they only mind being told fiction while being led to understand it as truth. As long as people are in on the unreliability of the narrator, the narrator is permitted a very broad license. This is the skeleton key to understand so much about contemporary culture. I've always loved Acaster but never been quite capable of capturing what he's doing. Thank you for posting!

[@jackstrawful]

He may not know who he is, but he knows what he's too good for.

[@BinarySecond]

I really enjoyed the original, looking forward to this one

[@alexporter2720]

Incredible content again, amazing insight into comedians I love

[@cianodonoghue5304]

Absolutely brilliant

[@nkanyisoinnocentkhwane3752]

These are so good, makes me wish I were a stand up comic

[@justeddie6836]

I didn't get through the specials without tearing up so I'm not surprised I didn't make it through this without tearing up either. Fantastic analysis and helped me understand more about why Stewart and James sit outside of other comedians for me.

[@Craigadammusic]

Yet again amazing quality content! I love the analysis. Acaster is my favorite comedian and these are the exact reasons why! Thanks I was wondering could you share where the interviews were from? I’d seen some of them but I’d like to see the ones I haven’t watched

[@john_hourihan]

This channel is the DJ premier of video editing. Incredible.

[@TheSuzberry]

One of the best storytellers on WILTY.

[@JoeB17]

Really enjoyed this. Hope you do video on Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999. That showed new side to James.

[@georgemiller2581]

really great video mate. loved this.

[@wayward.philosopher]

This was a brilliant video about a truly inspired comedian! Thank you!

[@448285]

Hoping this video gets the same blessings from The Algorithm that the first Acaster video did, it deserves them and many more

[@TheJamesRedwood]

Superb! Even the stock footage - minimal and humourous. Great animation! Not gratuitous at all. Well done my Aussie brother, shame about the rubgy eh? We may get further yet, but looks like SA against us in the final. Better not be bloody England, they don't deserve it. Subscribed BTW! The background videogame music cheese is annoying though. Actually, the music is growing on me. I am hearing the originals, and am truly impressed with the range of yout effort and creativity. And finally, your analysis is truly apt, incisive, empathetic, and insightful. One of the best YT channels I have yet discovered in nearly 15 years. Trust me, I am a grumpy bastard, this is high praise, rarely given.

[@travisbostick]

This was incredible!

[@lemiureelemiur3997]

Amazing work, well done.

[@thefootydave639]

Brilliant video! Also loved the 8-bit Radiohead playing in the background!

[@LeoMontZepoL]

Beautiful

[@locumcat]

Really interesting take. It's been a pleasure watching Acaster change and grow. He has always had the incredible confidence in his shows e.g. he used to start shows with a quiet 'Hi' instead of high energy intro which was a brave choice. His decision to start talking about himself more changed everything. Are you going to do a video on 'Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999'??

[@yusha5728]

Love James Acaster to bits and this is the most accurate, spot on, fanfuckingtastic description of him!

[@SourSourSour]

I love more analysis on James Acaster, appreciate the insights, hopefully I can use em in my own work to any moderately effective degree